Hardeeville remembers late World War II veteran Burke

File Photo Cecil Burke and his wife Altine served as grand marshals for the Christmas parade in 2011.

Courtesy of John Carroll Cecil Burke and his family celebrating his last wedding anniversary.

Courtesy of John Carroll World War II veterans Cecil Burke and his wife Altine celebrating their last wedding anniversary.

A longtime Hardeeville resident and World War II veteran died at 93 in Walterboro on June 25.

Cecil Burke was born Aug. 16, 1920, in Toombs County, Ga., where he met his wife Avis Altine, known as Tina. Tina, a few years younger than Cecil, still resides in Hardeeville with her relatives.

“He and my mother were married for 71 years,” said Panda Burke, Cecil’s daughter and a Hardeeville resident. “My mother was also a veteran. She served in the Coast Guard during World War II.”

Cecil and Tina served as grand marshals of the Hardeeville Christmas parade in 2011. Cecil served with Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army and Tina was recognized for her Coast Guard service during the war.

Cecil Burke was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of barricades. He died in the Veterans Victory House after dealing with complications from unexplained pains.

“He was in the home and he started to have a lot of pain,” said John Carroll, Hardeeville’s chief municipal judge. “His daughter said they couldn’t determine why he was in so much pain. … They were going to do surgery but he passed before they got to the operating room.”

“That’s why our families are close,” Carroll said. “They were married for 40 years. … Cecil’s daughter passed away years ago from a stroke, but I’ve known Cecil all of my life. He was here a year before I was born.”

Moore reminisced about his experiences with Burke.

“I always picked at him,” Moore said. “He lived so long. He outlived all of his friends. This is an opinion and it’s really true: I told him that as many funerals as you’ve been to, you’re probably going to have the biggest funeral in this area. But that ended up not being true because he outlived all of his friends.”

Burke was an avid gardener and freshwater fisherman, Moore said.

“He always had a very good garden that he shared with everyone,” Moore said. “He was a big believer in God and went to church every Sunday at Hardeeville Methodist. … I can remember when I went to him and asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage. His comment was, ‘Y’all make your own bed. You gotta lie in it.’ He was a unique guy. That’s a direct quote.”

The Burkes moved to Hardeeville in 1955. Cecil worked as a welder for about 30 years for the Continental Can Company before retiring. During their time in Hardeeville, Cecil and Tina square-danced recreationally.

Cecil’s funeral service was held June 28 at Port Wentworth United Methodist Church. He was buried at the Smyrna Methodist Church cemetery in Uvalda, Ga.

“He was one of the oldest living Masons in the United States,” Panda Burke said. “He received a 70-year pin with the Masonic lodge.